Welcome to the new site devoted to the American automobile as manufactured during the years between 1936 and 1956.

My interest in these cars dates back to childhood, when I could occasionally catch a tantalising glimpse of these bulbous beauties in the old movies shown on television. Often a solid door would clunk shut, then a gorgeous waffling burble of an 8-cylinder engine was heard as the actors left and the scene ended. The car itself was seldom properly seen, and this fed my fascination to find out just what these cars actually looked like.

These automobiles represented a transition period while styling was evolving rapidly between two contrasting styles - the external fenders and separate headlamps of the depression era, and the slab-sided styles of the post-war period. Moreover, at least until 1942, luxurious passenger cars were still being built in the U.S. - while Europe was at war. These cars were of ultra-modern design for the time, and of a shape which wasn't common in Europe until ten years later. For me, they embodied the fascinating dream-like quality of advanced products which were somehow outside and ahead of the events of their time.

This site is still at a very early stage and the cars and period ads shown below are just a beginning. I welcome feedback, corrections and any further information you may have on these cars. I also invite you to send more pictures for inclusion here ! I'll of be adding to this site as time goes by.  For now ... enjoy !